Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher feels that a fear of letting the club down was a big factor in him deciding to retire.
The long-serving centre-back will make the last of his 737 appearances for the Reds when they take on Queens Park Rangers at Anfield today.
The 35-year-old told Sky Sports News that a natural decline has helped him make up his mind to call time on a decorated career at Anfield.
"I didn't want to let the club's fans down because as you get older you go downwards, don't you?" said Carragher.
"I'd hate to be at fault in a really big game, a semi-final or a final so I thought 'I'll get out now while I'm still doing OK'.
"When you play for Liverpool they're scouring the world for players so I'm quite proud to have stayed in the team for so long. I'm no superstar, you know, I don't like all that, as long people think I put a shift in for Liverpool, that will do me."
Carragher made his Liverpool debut in League Cup defeat to Middlesbrough in 1997.
Paul Gorst
